USPC Research Project Fair at the 2020 Equine Symposium & Convention Sponsored by

Have you ever wondered why horses behave a certain way? Are you curious about how different approaches to horse care might affect your horse’s health or performance? Do you have questions about how or why certain horse management practices are preferred over others? Are you interested in developing a strategy to learn more about a specific question you have about your horse? If you answered “YES!” to any of these questions, then the Pony Club Research Project Fair is for YOU!! Held during the 2020 USPC Equine Symposium & Convention in Seattle, Washington, January 29 – February 2, the Research Project Fair provides Pony Club members of all ages and certification levels the opportunity to expand their equine knowledge. The 2020 USPC Research Project Fair features four categories:

Individual Experimental Project: Hypothesis-driven project conducted by an

individual Pony Club member. Project must incorporate experimental methods to

test hypothesis and determine conclusions.

Group Experimental Project: Hypothesis-driven project conducted by a group of Pony Club members. Project

must incorporate experimental methods to test hypothesis and determine conclusions. Groups may range from

pairs to an entire Pony Club.

Individual Literature Review: Non-experimental project in which an individual Pony Club member conducts an

in-depth analysis and synthesis of existing literature on a specific equine-related topic.

Group Literature Review: Non-experimental Project in which a group of Pony Club members (from pairs to an

entire Pony Club) conducts an in-depth analysis and synthesis of existing literature on a specific equine-related

topic.

Experimental projects and literature reviews can be about any topic related to horses and/or Pony Club. Previous research projects have explored a broad range of topics, including the effects of different wound care strategies on healing time, comparison of the shock absorbing qualities of different arena footing materials, effectiveness of different leather care products, and experiments to determine which fly spray works best at repelling flies. This is a great opportunity to learn more about your horse, expand your knowledge on a certain topic in preparation for future certifications, and share what your findings with other Pony Club members!

HOW DO I ENTER THE RESEARCH PROJECT FAIR?

1. Develop a Project Idea and determine whether you want to do a LITERATURE REVIEW or an EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT and whether you will complete the project by yourself or as part of a group 2. Complete the Entry Form 3. Complete the Project Approval Form (Experimental Projects only) 4. Write a short summary or abstract about your project (be sure to proofread!) 5. Submit your Entry Form, Abstract, and Project Approval Form (when applicable) to the Research Project Fair Coordinator by January 3, 2020!

QUESTIONS? Ask the Research Project Fair Coordinator: Yvette Seger (yvetterenee@yahoo.com)

Project Evaluation & Prizes Project Evaluation will take place the afternoon on Friday, January 31, 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Projects will be evaluated by a panel of experts composed of veterinarians/veterinarian technicians, scientific researchers, teachers, and Pony Club graduates. Each entrant will prepare a short (10 minutes or less) presentation to review their project, results, and conclusions with the judging panel. Projects will be evaluated on the depth of the research question, background research, methodology, analysis of results, and presentation (visual display and oral presentation). Individual divisions will be further divided by age and prizes for first through fifth in each division will be awarded during the Saturday Night Banquet on February 1. Special prizes for Overall High Score Individual Experimental Project, Individual Literature Review, and Group Project will also be awarded. All contest entries will be prominently displayed at the Equine Symposium & Convention for everyone’s education and enjoyment.

Abstracts: An abstract is a brief summary of the research project or the literature review and typically outlines four elements of the completed work:

The research focus (i.e. statement of the problem/research goal or the topic of interest)

The research methods used (or resources used for literature review)

The results/findings of the research

The conclusions made

Submitted abstracts will be compiled into an Abstract Booklet that will be distributed to Project Fair participants, Symposium attendees, USPC leaders, and sponsors. Please be sure to proofread your abstract for spelling and grammar before submitting! Presentations will be made with a Poster Display Presentation: Participants attending the Equine Symposium & Convention will present their project in person to the judges’ panel, discussing the purpose of their research and what they learned using their visual display (not to exceed 10 minutes). Participants not attending the Equine Symposium and Convention will be judged in a separate category, “Display Presentation," where competitors will let their detailed visual display explain their research findings.

Visual displays are not to exceed 3’ x 5’ or the size of traditional tri-fold science fair project boards. Visual displays can be mounted on the traditional tri-fold science fair boards or printed on a single-sheet oversized poster presentation (google “PowerPoint poster templates” or “research poster presentations” for examples). If you are traveling to the Equine Symposium and Convention via airplane or will be shipping your poster, a single sheet poster presentation will be the most cost-effective display method. Participants may bring and use their own laptops/tablet for their oral presentation. There will not be a laptop available for general use. Individual Experimental Projects or Literature Reviews will be judged according to the following age categories (age as of January 1, 2020):

8 years and younger

9 – 10 years

11 – 13 years

14 – 17 years

18 – 25 years

25 and older

Still have questions? Please e-mail Yvette Seger, yvetterenee@yahoo.com

(Please indicate “USPC Research Project Fair” in the subject line of the email to ensure prompt response.)

How to carry out a successful Research Project Adapted from the 2006 Research Fair Entry form by Susan Hull, Midwest Region

A successful Research Project:

1. Represents your thought processes and effort – not that of an expert or your parents.

2. Demonstrates that you understand the material.

3. Shows careful planning – not a “rush” project.

4. Shows a complete record of all your work in the Journal.

5. Includes photographs, pictures, charts, graphs, and neat lettering.

6. Is neat, attractive, and organized.

7. Does not have to cost much money.

8. Experimental projects directly involving horses should be very carefully thought out and

created in close consultation with and approval by your DC/CA and your veterinarian. They

should be supervised by a knowledgeable adult to ensure that no harm or injury occurs. If you

have any questions or concerns regarding your proposed experiment, contact your equine

veterinarian and/or local/state Humane society to obtain further information regarding your

state’s own animal treatment laws before proceeding.

Steps in making your Research Project:

1. Choose a topic or question that interests you and discuss it with your DC/CA.

2. Once you have chosen your topic, find out as much about it as possible.

3. Determine what question you want to answer.

4. Keep a journal of your thoughts, preparation, ideas, and readings. This will be part of your display.

5. Set up a work area somewhere around your house where you can work on your project. Make sure it is

off limits to younger sisters or brothers or pets!

6. Check with your parents for suggestions and materials. They can save you time, excess work, and

money.

7. Collect the materials needed for your project.

8. Work on your project every week. Do not wait until the last minute!

9. Construct your exhibit.

10. Mount your pictures, graphs, charts, and report findings on your display. Make sure you include your

journal.

11. If you are able to attend the Equine Symposium and Convention, rehearse/present your project with

your club or center to obtain feedback so that you are ready to present your Research Fair Project to

the judges!!

Your Method:

1. PURPOSE: What do you want to learn?

What do you want to explore? Choose something that interests you.

2. RESEARCH: Find our as much about your topic as you can.

How can you find the answer to your question?

3. HYPOTHESIS: Predict the answer to your question.

Your hypothesis is what you think the answer to your question will be. It must be very clear and brief so

that you can test or verify it.

4. PROCEDURE: Design a test/project to confirm or disprove your prediction.

Tell what you will do to test or research your prediction or hypothesis.

5. ANALYSIS: Record what happened during the experiment or research.

6. CONCLUSION: What did you learn? What might be the next steps?

2020 USPC Research Project Fair Entry Form Complete Entries are due January 3, 2020

Please complete the following forms:

Entry Form (this form)

Abstract Form

Approval Form (Experimental Projects only)

and save or scan forms and email them to: yvetterenee@yahoo.com or

mail the original forms to Yvette Seger at: 4849 Connecticut Ave., NW, Apt. #320, Washington, DC 20008

Project Category (select one): _____Individual Experimental Project _____Group Experimental Project _____Individual Literature Review _____Group Literature Review Individual Experimental Project/Literature Review Entrant Information: Name: _________________________________________Age as of January 1, 2020:____________ Mailing Address: ___________________________________________________________________ Address City, State, Zip

Phone Number: ___________________ Email address: ___________________________________ Current Certification(s): _________________ Club/Center: _________________________________ Region: _____________________________________________________ Your DC/CA’s Name: _____________________ DC/CA’s Phone Number: ____________________ Project Title: _____________________________________________________________________ Please check ALL appropriate boxes:

______ I will be using a traditional free-standing tri-fold display ______ I will be using an oversized poster presentation that needs a display stand ______ I will be attending the Equine Symposium & Convention and will be making the Oral Presentation ______ I will not be attending the Equine Symposium & Convention and will have a Display Presentation only

Group Experimental Project/Literature Review Entrant Information: Group Name: _________________________________________ Group Members and Current Certifications (Please list everyone who contributed to the project, even if they are not able to attend the Equine Symposium and Convention. Denote those individuals who plan to attend the Equine Symposium and Convention with an asterisk [*]): Example: Penelope von Ponyclubber (C-1HM/D3F/J) Group Leader/Point of Contact for the Project: ________________________________________ Email address: __________________________________________ Club/Center: _________________________________ __________ Region: _______________________________________________ DC/CA’s Name: __________________________ DC/CA’s Phone Number: ____________________ Project Title: _____________________________________________________________________ Please check ALL appropriate boxes:

______ We will be using a traditional free -standing tri-fold display ______ We will be using an oversized poster presentation that needs a display stand ______ We will be attending the Equine Symposium & Convention and will be making the Oral Presentation ______ We will not be attending the Equine Symposium & Convention and will have a Display Presentation only

Please bring your project with you and check it in at the Registration Desk

at the USPC 2020 Equine Symposium & Convention

If shipping your project, please mail the display to be delivered by Tuesday, January 15, 2020 to: United States Pony Clubs, Inc.

ATTN: Yvette Seger (Pony Club Research Fair) 4041 Iron Works Parkway

Lexington, KY 40511

Questions? Please contact: Yvette Seger (yvetterenee@yahoo.com)

2020 USPC Research Project Fair Abstract Form Include this form with your entry

Please Indicate Project Type: ___Individual Research Project ___Group Research Project

___Individual Literature Review ___Group Literature Review

Please Indicate Age Division (Individual Divisions ONLY): ___8 & under ___9-10 years ___11-13 years

___14-17 years ___18-25 years ___25 & up

Name (Individual or Group):

Project Title:

ABSTRACT (may use an additional page, but should not exceed 500 words)

2020 USPC Research Project Fair Approval Form Include this form with your entry – Groups must include completed approval forms for all project contributors!

Name: ___________________________________ Title of Project: ______________________________________

1) Where will you conduct your experimentation? (check all that apply) ____ Research Institution ___ School ___ Field/Barn ____ Home ____ Other

2) The project will involve one or more of the following and requires supervision of a veterinarian and/or qualified scientist: (check all that apply)

____ Live Animal (requires supervision by Veterinarian) ____ Potentially Hazardous Chemicals ____ Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents: _____ Microorganisms ____ Recombinant DNA ____ Tissue

3) To Be Completed by Pony Club Member and Parent:

a) Pony Club Member Acknowledgement:

I understand the risk and possible dangers to me from my proposed research plan.

I understand all experimental research must be done only in the presence of either an adult supervisor or qualified scientist.

I will abide by the highest standards of the USPC during my participation in the Research Fair. ____________________________________ ______________________________________ ________________ Pony Club Member name Signature Date Acknowledged

b) Parent/Guardian Approval: I understand the possible risks and dangers involved in the research plan. I consent to my child participating in this research.

____________________________________ ______________________________________ ________________ Parent/ Guardian’s name Signature Date Acknowledged

4) To Be Completed by Adult Supervisor (can be parent): I have reviewed the research plan and have discussed the possible risks involved in the project with the participant prior to the start of experimentation. I have supervised the participant during the research. ____________________________________ ______________________________________ ________________ Adult Supervisor’s name Signature Date Acknowledged

5) To Be Completed by Veterinarian (required when animal used): I certify that I have reviewed this research with the participant before the start of experimentation. I certify that the experiments do not pose any adverse risk to the animals. I certify that I will provide veterinary medical treatment in case of an emergency that is related to this project. ____________________________________ ______________________________________ ________________ Veterinarian’s name Signature Date Acknowledged

6) To be Completed by Qualified Scientist (required when Potentially Hazardous Chemicals and/or biological agents used): I certify that I have reviewed this research with the participant before the start of experimentation. I have a working knowledge of the techniques to be used in this project. I will ensure the participant is trained in the necessary procedures.

____________________________________ ______________________________________ ________________ Qualified Scientist’s name Signature Date Acknowledged

7) To be Completed by DC/CA or RS: I acknowledge the participant is a Pony Club member in good standing in our club/center/region.

____________________________________ ______________________________________ ________________ DC/CA or RS’s name Signature Date Acknowledged